Vehicle supporting structure



Jan. 24, 1939. T. E. MOODIE VEHICLE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec i INVENTOR.

TEDWARD MOODIE..

T. E. MOODIE Jan. 24, 1939,

Y T. EDWARD MOODIE..

Z ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 24, 1939 VEHICLE SUPPORTING STRUCTURE T. VEdward Moodle, Atlanta, Ga., assignor to M. A. Forst, Ltd., Atlanta., Ga.

Application December 3, 1936, Serial No. 114,017

3 Claims. (Cl. 296-28) ro bers. sure in the thin outer walls of a vehicle, but 1,0

Present practice adapted to carry a large load.

III. The formation of a very shallow truss,

It hee been the praetlce m the past to fabrleate as a unit of ,one of the side Wall trusses, which the structural frame of a trailer or similar ves adopted to Carry the imposed loads under the y hicle in one of the following ways, viz., a plurality entrance door Je of parallel, Ylongitudinal sills, usually two of mod- V The formation of moans to carry the roao 15 efee depen efe placed undef the bedy 0f @he tion lfrom the spring hangers into the side Wall Vemele and Cross beams are placed en theee 5111s trusses, said means being eithershallow trusses and in most cases, extend beyond them shghtly. or members irl bending, but in au Cases to be A eor is then placed @Ver these crosebeeme suflicently shallow so as to not unduly raise the ed the bed? enclosure is b ut Op this oo" It floor llevel of the vehicle of which they are a part. 20 will be readily seen that wlth this form of con- V. The formation of lightweight moans to struction, certain serious diiculties are bound transfer `tho passenger and/o1, Cargo load onto to develop, viz., the longitudinal sills, as well as tho Sido Wan trusses, said means being either the Cross beams must be relatively Shallow in shallow trusses or members in bending, but in Order te pevee ehe body from being raised to all cases to be suillciently shallow so as to not 235l an extreme helgm- AS e result this form of unduly raise the floor level of the vehicle of constructmnhalways produces a heavy and cumwhich they are a port bersome vehicle. In case, however, deep long- VI. The formation of vmeans to carry the load tudmal sills are used, the cross beams must still ofthe Side Walls and the roof onto the side Wou be lald on these sills and such a form of constructrusses- 3o tion places the floor of the machine very high Descrip-tion above the ground, which results in a top-heavy vehicle. In this invention, both the longitudinal and In order to avoid the diniculties above enumercross beams are omitted and the entire'loads are 3,-, ated, the longitudinal sills are sometimes placed carried by a plurality 0f deep IUSSSS (the lghtinside the body of the vehicle above the floor est known form 0f structure t0 Carry a given "e level and the cross beams are placed below the loads) concealed in the side walls of the vehicle. sillsand below the iloor, but attached to the sills These trusses are preferably fabrated 0f round by suspension bolts or similar attachments. This or square steel tubing, but they may, if desired,

y form oi construction lowers the floor level somebe fabricated of channels, U-shapes, I beams, 40

what but does not arrest the weight at all and or other weil known structural forms. basan additional disadvantage due to the fact In addition to acting as main structural that the door space is obstructed or a portion of members, certain members of the truss frames the door along the sides of the vehicle is raised to just referred t0, are extended Suiciently so that i.; a higher level resulting in a loss of cubage in the they Can Support the l00f 0f the Vehiclealld form 45 vehicle without any compensating advantage. guides or supports, for the doors, windows and in addition to these forms of construction, a other objects. third form ci construction is sometimes used, Rflling BOW t0 the dllWYlgS ih Which like which consists essentially of a relatively large characters of reference. refer to like parts 5.o number of shallow, heavy, longitudinal sills so throughout the separate views: 5o disposed that the floor of the vehicle can be placed Fig. l Vis a perspective View showing one form directly upon them Without the use of any form of the invention. of cross members. This form. of construction Fig. 2 is a plan View of a modied form of the gives a clear oor space, but is exceedingly heavy invention. A

and does not lower the floor level materially. Fig, 3 is a sectional end View looking toward o Purpose The purpose oi this invention is to provide a structural frame for a trailer or similar vehicle, which possesses unusual strength, rigidity, and lightness and which is concealed entirely within the side walls of the vehicle so that the oor of said vehicle can be low to the ground and the interior space can bc iree of all structural mem- Object of invention This invention has for its primary objectives:

I. The formation of structural means of very light weight, adapted to carry a single load into a pair oi side Vwall trusses displaced a considerable distance from each other.

II. The formation of a plurality of side wall trusses of very light Weight, suitable for enclothe rear, showing in this case, a beam. form of cross member for supporting the spring hangers and showing also a diagonal strut for bracing the side walls. This section is taken along the line 3 3, Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a side View of the forward part of the invention, showing one method of bringing the single central supporting load from the hitch into the side wall trusses. In this view, a portion of the structure designed to carry the load under the door, is shown and the forward bed or davenport is shown in dotted lines, resting on certain of the cross members.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the preferred form of the invention, showing in this case, in broken away forni, both the exterior and interior covering of the vehicle and also showing certain items of the interior equipment. In this view, the structural elements are shown as square metal tubing which makes the most practical form of section for a light weight structure.

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of a preferred form of the invention showing in particular, a quadrapod type of hitch truss whch transfers the hitch load directly into the side wall trusses without carrying said load through any system of trusses or beams designed to take bending in a horizontal plane.

Referring now to the reference numerals, I, is the supporting axle and 2, refers to the springs. The tripod of struts, which extend out of the front of the body (Fig. 1) and which carry the forward supporting load into the side wall trusses, is given the numeral 3. When a quadrapod of struts is used, such as is shown in Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 6, the numeral3' will be used. The vertical members, which form elements of the truss work and also serve to support the roof, are referred to by the numeral 4. The truss work, under the doors, is given the numeral 5. and the truss frames opposite the wheels, are given the numeral 6.

Considering the structure shown in Fig. 1, particularly, the principle of construction will be explained. As is well known, the forward part of a trailer is practically always supported at a single central point, such as '1. The load at this point is, in my invention, carried through the tripod or quadrapod of tubes 3 or 3', into the side wall trusses. In this connection, it might be well to note that the structure 3 or 3' could be entirely replaced by two members extending out from the lower portion of the structural frame without, in any way, departing from the spirit of the invention. If such a construction were used, the two members referred to would have to be quite heavy as they would be in pure bending, some weight might be saved, however, in the forward cross structure if this type of construction were used.

Construction Considering item I, the single hitch supporting load which is applied at the point 1, may be carried into the two main side wall trusses either by a tripod of struts 3, Fig. l, or a quadrapod of struts 3', Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 6. The ,load from those pyramidal structures may be transferred into the side wall trusses by a plurality of beams (or trusses) designed to take bending, such as the two horizontal truss frames 8 and 9, Fig. l, in which case the struts forming the pyramidal structure 3, need not actually extend into the plane of the side wall trusses.

In certain cases, instead of transferring the loads from the pyramidal members 3 or 3', as the case may be, onto horizontally disposed lower cross trusses such as 8, Figures 1 and 2, and upper cross trusses such as 9, Figures 1 and 2. The pyramidal structure, in this case a quadrapod such as 3', Figures 5 and 6, or a plurality of members in pure bending (not shown), is extended until it intersects the plane containing the side wall trusses even though such intersections should occur aft of the forward point of said side wall trusses. In this manner, the moments due to the load imposed at 1, are carried directly into the side wall trusses and do not go through a plurality of intermediate beams or trusses adapted to take horizontal bending. In either case, the shear due to the applied load at the point 1, must be taken either by a single beam member in vertical bending (not shown) or a vertically disposed truss, such as IU, Fig. 1, or II, Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 6. Having now carried the single centrally applied hitch load into the side wall trusses consideration may be given to the absorption of the load in these trusses as referred to under item II.

The design of the side wall trusses is such that the features, listed under items II, III and VI, are obtained. Due to the presence of a door on the right side of most of the conventional forms of house trailers, it is necessary that a shallow truss be placed under this door to carry the load through this section of the structure. Such a truss is shown in Figs. 1 and 5, and is referred to by the numeral 5. This part of the structure is a conventional truss, although quite shallow and must be connected to true triangular truss frames at each end. The structure opposite the wheels in both of the side wall trusses, is in the form of a simple truss comprising verticals, diagonals, and chord members, all symmetrically disposed. In order that the roof and side wall loads may be adequately supported, the vertical member 3 of the side wall trusses, are extended above. the truss frames as unbraced columns and are so disposed that the roof and also certain portions of the side and end walls, and in some cases, the windows, door, etc., may be attached directly to them. In this manner, practically all of the roof and side wall loads are transferred directly to the side wall truss frames, and the effect specied under item VI is obtained.

Referring now to the item IV, it will be noted that the spring hangers are located at a point well inboard from the side wall truss frames. The reactions from these hangers, which in reality support the rear part of the vehicle and are therefore quite large, must be carried into the side wall trusses.

In Fig. 5, a plurality of shallow trusses I2, are used to make this transfer of loads. In Fig. 1, a double beam member I3, is used, and in Fig. 3, a channel beam I3' is used. These trusses or members (one directly behind the other) may be seen to better advantage by referring to Figs. 2 and 3. In certain cases, it may be found desirable not to use trusses to transfer the load from the spring hangers onto the side wall truss frames and in this case, a heavy member, designed to take a large bending load, is used for this purpose. Such a construction is shown in Figs. l and 3, where these members are referred to by the numerals I3 and I 3.

Item V refers to the method of transferring the load of the passengers and/or cargo onto the side wall truss frames. This may be accomplished directly by means of transverse members adapted to take bending, suchas the members I4, I5 and I6, Figs. 1 and 2, or by means of vertically disposed shallow trusses located at the same points as these members.

In all cases, it should be noted that these members (or trusses) are attached to panel point locations on both side wall trusses. In certain cases, it may be found desirable to transfer part of the passenger and/or cargo load rst to one or more of the main cross trusses or beams, such as the main cross truss near the front of the vehicle and one of the auxiliary cross trusses or beams designed to carry the spring load and thence to the side wall trusses and such a form of construction is indicated by the truss frames I1, Figs. 2 and 5. These frames could, of course, be replaced by sin gle members of suilicient strength to take the applied loads in pure bending.

In regard to item VII, it will be seen that the cross truss or shear truss I I, Fig. 5, or Ill, Fig. 1, located near the front of the vehicle, gives considerable rigidity to the side wall trusses. This cross bracing truss, together with the auxiliary cross members I9, Fig. 1, or 20, Fig. 5, and the diagonal struts 2| and'22, Fig. 1, all act to form a plurality of side wall trusses possessing such a degree of transverse rigidity that the vehicle can retain its shape without appreciable help from the roof bows.

Summary summarizing, it will be seen that by the unique combination of a number of truss frames that a structure of unusual rigidity, compactness, strength and light Weight, has been obtained. This structure comprises l. A plurality of side Wall trusses including vertical, diagonal, and chord members adapted for concealment entirely within the side walls of a vehicle and modified so as to permit the rekmcval of the wheels and the insertion of a door and windows. Certain vertically disposed members of this truss are extended beyond the confines of the truss and serve to carry the load of the roof down to the truss and at the same time, impart transverse rigidity to the roof.

2. A plurality of cross trusses or beams adapted to carry the wheel or spring loads into the side wall trusses above referred to.

3. A cross truss adapted to give transverse rigidity to the side wall trusses and also to carry the vertical component of the single forward supporting load into the side wall trusses.

4. A hitch truss or pyramidal truss or a plurality of members in bending adapted to carry the load from the hitch into the cross or shear truss, referred to under 4 above, and thence into the side wall trusses, or in some cases, directly into the side wall trusses.

5. A plurality of beams and/or trusses adapted to carry the weight of the passengers and/ or cargo either directly to the side Wall trusses, or directly to the cross trusses and/or beams and thence to the side wall trusses.

6. A method such as welding or riveting for fastening the combination of trusses together and a method of applying suitable covering material to both the exterior and the interior of the structure thus formed.

Claims It will be seen by reference to this specification and to the accompanying drawings that I have evolved a novel and useful structure combining to an unusual degree, strength, rigidity and lightness.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A trailer frame structure comprising a right side truss frame and including a door opening and a shallow truss below said door opening and including a truss aft of said door opening said truss having its upper and lower chord members above the upper and lower chord members of the balance of the truss frame, a left side truss frame parallel to said right side truss frame and similar to said right side truss frame but without a door opening, a forwardly located cross truss adapted to connect oppositely disposed vertical members of the right and left side truss frames and a plurality of trusses disposed in intersecting planes and adapted to form a junction with said right and left side truss frames in the plane of said cross truss and aft of the forward end of said right and left side truss frames thereby forming means for transferring a single concentrated load into said right and left side truss frames without, however, causing a sidewise distortion of said truss frames.

2. A trailer frame structure comprising a right side truss frame and a door opening in said truss frame and including a truss aft of said door opening, said truss having its upper and lower chord members above the upper and lower chord members of the balance of the truss frame, a left side truss frame parallel to said right side truss frame, a forwardly located cross truss adapted toI connect oppositely disposed vertical members of the right and left side truss frames and a plurality of trusses disposed in intersecting planes and adapted to form a junction with said right and left side truss frames in the plane of said cross truss and aft of the forward end of said right and left side truss frames thereby forming means for transferring a single concentrated load into said right and left side truss frames without, however, causing a sidewise distortion of said truss frames.

3. A trailer frame structure comprisingl a right side truss frame and a left side truss frame parallel to said right side truss frame and similar to said right side truss frame, a forwardly located cross truss adapted to connect oppositely disposed vertical members of the right and left side truss frames and a plurality of trusses disposed in intersecting planes and adapted to form a junction with said right and left side truss frames in the plane of said cross truss and aft of the forward end of said right and left side truss frames, thereby forming means for transferring a single concentrated load into said right and left side truss frames without, however, causing a sidewise distortion of said truss frames.

T. EDWARD MOODIE. 

